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One Skillet Louisiana Style Chicken and Rice with Herb Butter. Quick, easy, colorful, and delicious! Pan-seared chicken with cajun seasoning and lemon butter. All cooked together with rice pilaf and peppers for an all-in-one dinner. Take that extra step and serve with a drizzle of delicious herby garlic butter. A dinner that everyone at the table will love. 

chicken and rice in skillet with herb butter and pepper on table

I’ve always loved a skillet dinner, but when the days get really busy, that’s when I really count on skillet recipes. And this one has quickly become a new favorite.

This doesn’t surprise me, it has all of the flavors my family loves most. Just about anything with rice and they’re sold on in seconds, so I knew this would be a hit. 

The way this was created reminded me of the way my dad used to cook when I was a kid. He’d pull out the contents of the fridge and just start making dinner with what we had. He’d throw in a little of this and a little bit of that. 

They never turned out bad, and to this day, it’s my favorite way to create new recipes. 

I only had a few things on hand and I knew that Creighton wanted something with a southern flair. Lots of seasoning, lemon, peppers, and rice. 

Thankfully, I always have a cabinet full of spices, lemons, tons of peppers, and rice. I also knew there was chicken was in the freezer. So from there, I really did just throw everything into a skillet. The second all the yummy seasonings hit the chicken, I knew it had potential. 

homemade cajun seasoning in bowl

The details

Everything starts with the chicken, which is southern-inspired and seasoned simply with my homemade cajun seasoning. Simply chicken, olive oil, and seasonings, all pan-seared in a skillet and then finished with lemon and butter. 

Once the chicken has been seared, I toss in the rice and spaghetti.

Using a combination of broken pasta and rice makes this almost more like a Rice-A-Roni or rice pilaf bake, it’s such a nice addition. And perfect if you have an almost empty box of pasta just sitting in the pantry waiting to be used.

Allow the rice and pasta to get a little toasted. You want things to be smelling just a little nutty at this point. 

raw chicken cooking in skillet

Add the onions, bell peppers, and chicken broth, then slide the chicken in. Bring everything to a boil and allow the rice to simmer before transferring the entire skillet to the oven to finish cooking. 

As the dish cooks in the oven, you’ll find that some of the rice and pasta on top get a nice little crisp. Which we think is pretty delicious! 

chicken, rice, and lemons in skillet cooking in broth

Finish it up

Since this already has so much flavor, I didn’t think the dish needed a sauce. But at the same time, I wanted to add a saucy element. So I browned a little butter with garlic and fresh herbs to spoon over the warm chicken and rice. 

Best idea. I know it doesn’t seem like much to add a small drizzle of herby butter, but it really finishes the dish so nicely. The rice especially…so delicious with some nutty herby garlic butter. 

chicken and rice in skillet with spoon

What’s great about this one-skillet chicken rice bake is that it incorporates a variety of flavors and textures. Yet it’s all made simply in ONE skillet, using a lot of pantry staples. Have to love that!

This is already in my rotation of “back pocket” recipes. It’s just so good, and it’s different, which is really nice! Creighton gave it a double thumbs-up, so hey, it’s got that going for it too! 

chicken and rice on plate with fork

Looking for other skillet dinners? Here are my favorites: 

One Skillet White Chicken Chili Bake

Lemon Butter Dijon Chicken and Orzo with Feta Sauce.

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole

Lastly, if you make this One Skillet Louisiana Style Chicken and Rice, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Skillet Louisiana Style Chicken and Rice

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 547 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F.
    2. In a large oven-safe skillet, combine the olive oil, chicken, and cajun seasoning, toss to coat. Set the skillet over high heat. Sear on both sides until golden, 3-5 minutes. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add 1 tablespoon of butter and lemon slices. Remove everything from the skillet.
    3. Add the rice and pasta. Cook until the rice is toasted, about 1 minute. Add the onion and peppers and continue to cook another 3-4 minutes, then pour in 3 cups broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
    4. Slide the chicken, lemon slices, and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet. Bring to a boil. Cover the skillet and turn the heat down to the lowest setting possible. Allow the rice to cook 10 minutes, until most of the liquid has cooked into the rice, but not all of it. If needed add more broth. Bake, uncovered for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
    5. Meanwhile, melt together 5 tablespoons butter, the garlic, and a pinch of chili flakes. Cook until the butter is browning. Stir in the mixed herbs.
    6. Serve the chicken and rice drizzled with garlic butter and topped with fresh herbs.

Notes

Homemade Cajun Seasoning: mix 2 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, and 1 tablespoon black pepper. Makes 3/4 cup. 
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chicken and rice in skillet with herb butter and pepper on table

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was so good. I made it for some friends and everyone loved it. There wasn’t even a grain of rice left in the pan!

    1. Hey there,
      Thanks for your review and trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! Have the best Thursday! ?xTieghan

  2. 5 stars
    My family went nuts over this. The chicken skin comes out almost fried, and with the lemon and cajun seasoning, the whole combination is packed with flavor. Can’t wait to make it again!

    1. Hi Ann,
      Happy Monday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was a hit, thanks for trying it out and sharing your review:)

    1. Hi Estelle,
      Sure, I don’t see why not! I hope you love the recipe, let me know how it turns out! xx

  3. Absolutely delicous. Awesome flavour. Mediterranean ahead. Made it up till the point before I put it on the oven. Added a bit more broth and put it in the oven for 15 min5on 220. Was delicious

    1. Hey Lisa,
      Amazing!! I am thrilled that this dish was a hit, thanks a lot for trying it out! xTieghan

  4. 4 stars
    I loved this one and even my picky 11 year old ate the chicken with the herbs on it. If you have meat eaters, expect to make more chicken then recipe calls for. I like the amount of spice to it as well. Thanks for a great recipe!

    1. Hey Mandy,
      Happy Monday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a go, I am so glad it was a winner:) Have the best week! xx

  5. 5 stars
    My family loves this and I love how easy it is to make. Its pretty fool proof. I make it fairly often and usually double the amount of chicken because it makes excellent leftovers and there’s always way more rice left then chicken.

    1. Hey Lindsay,
      Happy Wednesday! Thanks for sharing your review and making this recipe so often, I am so glad it is always a winner! xxTieghan

    1. Hey Nicole,
      Yes, a 10 inch skillet will work well for you! Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx

    1. Hi Amanda,
      Awesome!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try and sharing your review! Love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend!☀️ xx

    1. Hi Nicole,
      Happy Sunday!! Thanks for giving the recipe a try and your comment, love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan

  6. 5 stars
    Made this for dinner tonight and it was so delicious! Can’t believe how easy it was to make as well. My family loved it and I will definitely make this again!

    1. Hey Lauren,
      Thanks so much for your comment! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan

  7. 5 stars
    I made this last night…OMG so good. I picked out the lemon slices before service so I didn’t get any bitterness. The garlic/herb butter sauce was delish as well! I added more Cajun seasoning the the rice mixture, just to amp it up a little. This recipe will go into my monthly rotation.

    1. Hey Ericka,
      Wonderful!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xT

  8. 5 stars
    So flavorful and delicious! Didn’t take too long to make, and was very easy! Definitely keeping this recipe for the future!

    1. Hi Victoria,
      Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback! I love to hear that it was a hit! xTieghan

  9. Love this recipe. A little heat. So delicious. Thank you for posting.

    I just bought your new cookbook and gave it as a gift. Is this recipe in the book.

    Thanks again!

    1. Hi Nancy,
      Thanks so much for your feedback! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it! Thanks for purchasing the cookbook, all of the recipes in the cookbooks are exclusive to the books:) This recipe is only on the blog. xTieghan

  10. 5 stars
    Your one skillet recipes GIVE ME LIFE! Husband loves the minimal dishes too as I tend to cook with every pot/utensil in kitchen. This one is understatedly amazing and delicious. Had everything on hand too which is an added plus. The flavors in this dish and the crust on the Cajun chicken *chefs kiss*. You have no idea how much you do for our table!

    1. Oh, also have to add….the broken pasta had me in my feelings bringing me back to my rice-a-roni childhood. Might have to add broken pasta to more of my rice dishes now…

    2. Hi Christina,
      Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan

  11. 5 stars
    New chef here, just moved into my first apartment. Here to say that this is delicious! So easy to make and one of my favorite dishes I’ve ever cooked. Didn’t need to pick up a ton of new ingredients either 🙂

    1. Hey Elizabeth,
      Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan